Dangerous Hurricane Headed for Southeast Louisiana and Southern Mississippi

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There is a newer forecast higher up on the blog. 
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Note: As of 5pm, the information below is still correct.
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Charles Peek
Charles Peek
Unfortunately, Tropical Storm Sally is expected take a path on its way inland that will cause a dangerous storm surge. Sally, like Laura before it, may undergo rapid intensification before it comes ashore. There is also a serious flood risk inland.
Path Forecast
Please allow me to break down the graphic for you.
  • Red = hurricane warning.
  • Pink = hurricane watch.
  • Yellow = tropical storm watch.
  • Amber = area experiencing winds tropical storm force (40 - 74 mph).
  • H = forecast strength is hurricane (sustained winds 75 mph or higher).
  • S = tropical storm force winds are forecast (40 to 74 mph).
Maximum sustained winds with the storm will most likely be in the 100 mph range.
Storm Surge
Please keep in mind that the storm surge forecast does not include waves or astronomical tides. The 7 - 11 foot surge forecast for southeast Louisiana and the southwest Mississippi coast is serious, indeed.
Flood Risk
This particular model (courtesy Pivotal Weather) is forecasting as much as 20 inches of rain. Severe flooding will result if that forecast is correct.

Safety Procedures
Here is a list of recommended safety precautions and procedures that factors in the situation with COVID-19:
  • Make a hotel/motel reservation well inland. There is no point to getting on the road and finding everything already sold out. Be sure and cancel if you do not need the room.
  • Make provisions for infirm friends/relatives well in advance. 
  • Get prescriptions filled before you evacuate. 
  • Put an app like AccuWeather's on your smartphone. It will keep track of your location and automatically provide the latest emergency warnings. 
  • Your "Go-Kit" should include at least two masks per person, soap, hand sanitizers, disinfectant wipes and, if available, disinfectant spray. 
  • Fill your car with fuel. I still recommend a road atlas or map in addition to whatever navigation system you might have. 
  • Power failures are likely. If you have a generator, fill it with fuel. If you wish to purchase a portable generator, do not put it in the garage, indoors, or anywhere near an air intake. Carbon monoxide is a danger. Nearly half of the fatalities from Hurricane Laura were from carbon monoxide after the storm. 
  • Consider taking your passport or putting it in your safe deposit box. If the worst happens, you'll need it to prove identity for disaster documents. It will be difficult to recover in a ruined home.
  • Take at least two large bottles of water for each family member along with protein bars or other easy-to-carry food. 
  • If you decide to stay home, make sure you have a working fire extinguisher, non-electric can opener, and a first aid kit. 
As always, I promise there will be no hyping of the storms. 

If you wish to learn more about how hurricane warnings are made, go here. 

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